And just note the time is 10:01, I guess. Greetings. Welcome to the uh February 20th meeting of the Cook County Housing Redevelopment Authority uh Board of Commissioners. Uh first, I note the presence of a quorum here. Uh
Commissioner Olsen via Zoom. uh Commissioner Hansen, Commissioner Lemore, and Commissioner Gabler. Also, we recognize uh Commissioner Sullivan, the Cook County uh delegate here, and uh we miss Commissioner Gamble, but he's
got other things uh going on in Duth. Apparently, uh we're this is our second time uh second delay of of a meeting that was supposed to be on Wednesday, but due to a lot of snow in Cook County, uh we are
just uh happy to be here today and everybody's present and accounted for. So, uh we go to the approval of the agenda at this stage. Uh is there any question about the agenda? Motion to approve.
>> Mr. Chair, I'd just like to make note that since we have um one of our commissioners um attending electronically or virtually that we should have a roll call vote and I'd be happy to do that for this board. >> All right. Thanks for the update on what
we need to be doing. And is there a motion to approve the agenda? >> I'll move to approve. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> There's a move and second. Any discussion? If not, all those in favor say I. >> So this will be roll call. >> Yes. >> So Gabler >> I.
>> Hansen >> I. >> Lamont I more. >> Lam more. >> That's all right. >> Olsen >> I. >> Lamont votes I too. That is fine. >> All right. Uh motion is approved. On to
approval of the January 21st, 2025 meeting minutes. Uh I have two uh corrections that I would offer uh in the matter of 20 resolution 2604 relating to our auditor's uh red path.
Uh there's a change to Andy hearing ad hearing in this last part of that resolution. And uh also as to whipley uh the the resolution or the report on them
uh should be the analysis is being drafted the contracts being drafted uh but it's and uh will be in the February agenda not at >> so with those two changes um
I'd ask for approval of the January 21st 2025 minutes unless someone else has any other further corrections. >> I'll move approval of the minutes. >> I'll second. >> Moved and seconded. Would you call the role, please? >> Gabler.
>> I. >> Hansen. >> I. >> Lamore. >> I. >> Olsen. >> I. >> Motion's approved. Uh, minutes are approved. Uh, we have an opportunity for public comment. Is there anyone here who wants
to make a comment? Hearing none, we'll move on to new business. New business. First item is presentation by Rachel DS from the Duth Hs uh applicants from Cook County for section 8 units in our developments
here. And uh she's going to explain the procedure and uh we appreciate her being here at least visually and and by sound. So, thanks very much. And uh Rachel, it's up to you. >> Wonderful. Thank you so much for having
me. And can everyone hear me? Okay. >> Yes, we can. >> And I I should just introduce Rachel by saying when I told Jason Hail that Rachel was going to be speaking, she his reaction was, "Oh, she's great."
So, take it away. Well, he is um we miss him here very much. Um we're very grateful for all the work that he did. Um and we're really happy to see him successful in his um new venture. So that's great. We love
hearing good feedback, right? Um anyways, without further ado, thank you so much again for having me today. Um I think that this information will um you know be timely and I hope that you um it pro it sheds some light on on the
program that we offer um for our jurisdiction which does include um Cook County. So, um, it sounds like you guys have the slides, which is perfect. And, um, so today I'm going to be providing a brief overview of how the section 8 or
also known as the housing choice voucher program works. Um, I'll share about some key operational components, um, like the inspection, affordability, and then how utilities are factored in. And then I'm also going to touch on how our current
um forecast we have some funding challenges and then how that impacts us on a more local level. Um so if we could transition to slide two please I'm going to start with a highle overview of the
program and then who it serves. Uh so slide two. So program overview. So the help >> it's not collaborating with me. One second. >> Oh, that's okay. >> We've got a little >> We got them in front of us, too. Yeah, we have it in front of us. >> Okay. Are we good? Good to go.
>> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. So, the housing choice voucher program is the primary federal tool to help very lowincome households afford housing.
The program serves families, seniors as well as individuals with disabilities. So in a nutshell, participants will locate housing in the private market with a private landlord. We are not the
HA of Duth is not the landlord for these properties. That is a part of um some other programs that we offer. But for the housing choice voucher program, we facilitate the subsidy and then they take that subsidy and utilize it in the
private market and then we pay a portion of the rent for the household directly to the landlord. Households themselves typically contribute 30 to 40% of their household income towards their rent amount.
Eligibility for the program um is generally limited to households at or below 50% of the AMR or the area median income. So um some key emphasis on this of the
program is it promotes housing stability while also leveraging private housing stock for our jurisdictions and then it also supports um some of our more vulnerable populations that we have in our communities.
Um so slide three if we could. >> All right. So to better understand the process, let's walk through what happens after a household receives their voucher.
So at this point, they have applied, been on the wait list, their name has been come to the top of the weight list, they've been pulled from our weight list, they're determined to be eligible,
and they get their voucher. That's the point that we're at now. So, the household receives their voucher and the applicable affordability paperwork. They then take that voucher to find a
unit and they work with that private landlord to complete the required um lease up packet of paperwork. They then turn that packet back into us so that we can review it for affordability.
And if everything looks good, then we're going to go ahead and schedule an inspection. The unit must pass the inspection before we can begin um rental assistance payments on that unit.
after it's approved or it's passed the inspection, then our staff will put together the leases and contracts for this unit. The leases and contracts include um the
housing assistance payment contract between the HRA and the landlord as well as the owner's lease. So, it's all included and we put that together and then all parties sign it. And once we have those signed um documents back,
then the HA begins paying subsidy directly to the landlord each month. So part of the process is we have multiple checkpoints to ensure that we're remaining compliant and allowing
um and assisting participants in the process of moving into, you know, safe and affordable quality housing. And this process is designed to protect both tenants and landlords that are working with the program.
Um if we could go to slide four please. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Um so slide four. Um a key part of this process is determining whether a unit is affordable under program rules. So I'm going to talk
about affordability and how um we have to determine determine that for each household. So when each household receives their voucher, they also receive a maximum allowable amount based on the following.
So it's based on the payment standard for the bedroom size that their household is eligible for and usually that is based on household composition. So it's based on that and then it's also based on if that household has income
and how much that income is. If a household does not have any income, they are considered a zeroincome household, then their maximum allowed amount is kept right at the payment standard for the bedroom size that their
household is eligible for. There is however a $50 minimum rent requirement. Uh utility costs are factored in using our utility allowance worksheet and we will cover that later on. So we'll get
to that piece of it. So the total cost is the contract rent total contract rent monthly contract rent plus the cost of tenant paid utilities based on that utility allowance worksheet. Um, add those two together, the total
cost for the unit has to be at or below the household's maximum allowed amount in order to be considered affordable. If it is over that amount, then unfortunately, we cannot move ahead with it. That would be a situation where if
it's within a couple dollars, um, or I've seen it even, you know, if it's beyond a couple dollars, we might go back to the landlord, um, or encourage the program participant to talk with the landlord about the possibility of being
willing to maybe lower their rent to be affordable. Sometimes they say yes, sometimes they don't. Um, but we always encourage it because if you don't ask, the answer is always no. >> Um, side agreements between the landlord
and the tenant outside of the housing assistance payment contract is prohibited. Um, the reason for that is sort of obvious, but we get questions on it a lot. Um, but that would mean that if the tenant can afford to pay the landlord more than what we're
calculating it based on verifications of their household income, that would lead us to believe that they have income that they're not telling us about or it would be setting them up to fail because, you know, we understand that it's a desperate situation often times to get
housed. Um, but we want them to stay housed, right? We want long-term stability. um and if they're not able to afford it even being subsidized um you know we're setting them up to fail. So really it's our um if we're being good stewards of the program and those that
we serve we have to make sure that it's affordable. So side agreements outside of that arrangement with the landlord or the tenant are are prohibited. >> Okay. Um this whole process ensures fairness and prevents cost burners on pedants as I mentioned and then it also
protects program integrity. >> And so moving on to slide five please. >> Okay. >> All right. Slide five. Uh inspection. So once affordability is confirmed the next
step in the process is the inspection. So movein inspections are required before we can begin any sort of payment assistance for the unit. And then thereafter we do an annual inspection to ensure continued compliance with the
housing quality standards of the program. Uh the process is pretty simple and it typically takes about 15 minutes. Um in Duth we do have a they do landlords do have to have a rental license through
the city of Duth. So oftent times um what we tell landlords that live in a jurisdiction where that is required is if the unit passed the city rental license inspection then generally we're going to see that it meets the housing quality standards or HQS standards of
our program. Um we do our best to expedite movein inspections. so that we avoid delaying um getting someone housed. And we also know that oftentimes, you know, the landlord, they need someone in there so that they're getting their income. So, we really don't want to slow down that
process if we can help it. Um this inspection process um ensures safe and sanitary housing and it also balances program oversight with the efficiency needed to house and um keep our landlords um happy with um their choice
to work with us. >> And if we could go to slide six, please. >> Okay, >> thank you. Um payment standards. Another important component in determining affordability is that payment standard.
So HUD publishes fair market rents or FMRS annually. Then the housing authority then has to set that payment standard between 90 to 110% of that FMR.
The payment standards reflect both market conditions and budget constraints. So, it's a real balancing act. Um, you'll see on the slide, these are the current standards for Cook County that HUD publishes.
And the idea for these payment standards is of course to balance the affordability with program sustainability. And as we know, often times what can be frustrating is that the payment standards may not reflect the market. I
mean, we had that in Duth, too. But I do know just looking at these payment standards for Cook County. I would assume that they are a little bit off the mark from what you guys are currently seeing for market units.
Um so I can I can definitely commiserate with that. Um so that's how the payment standards are determined. So if we could go to the next slide we can talk about uh the other factor that affects affordability
which is the utilities. So slide seven, you'll see here this is what our utility allowance worksheet looks like. So the utility allowance estimates an average of the cost of each
utility if it was paid by the tenant. Um it's based on the size of the unit, what kind of building it is, and what type of utility it is as well. Um so this is based on local rates and typical usage
as well as unit size and responsibility. Um these are not reimbursements. These are standardized estimates. Um and this helps us to ensure um affordability through totaling household
costs. And we review this annually and the current schedule was um effective in July of 2024 and this will remain effective through June of 2026. Um we did review it last year but there wasn't enough of a change in our utility study
to warrant an update of our current form. So that's why it is still in effect. So this is a reflection of real local costs and it's critical for accurate affordability calculations so that we can ensure affordability um between the
contract rent and what that estimated utility cost is going to be for the tenant and the utilities that they're responsible for paying. So if we could move to slide number eight. I unfortunately this is kind of the not so fun part of
the presentation but it's really important um and hopefully it's just temporary but I'd like to discuss a significant challenge currently affecting um the program. So what I want to talk about is funding
shortfall and the HR of duth is not alone in uh in being in this situation. This is a something we're seeing um for sure a lot in the state of Minnesota but across the country as well um is this
being in in funding shortfall. And so obviously we know the program is funded majority through federal appropriations and these costs are rising as we discussed previously um due to market rent increases, higher
utilities and increased payment standards needed to remain competitive with the market and federal funding has not kept pace with that and the result is a funding shortfall requiring careful management
and balance. Um and so we have a short we're assigned to each housing authority is assigned but us also we are also assigned to a shortfall um basically management team at our
Minneapolis Hudfield office that works with us throughout being in this shortfall status um on strategies. You know we have to report to them certain things every month. We have to show what um precautions we're taking, what steps
we're taking to be able to continue to pay the housing assistance payments that we currently have. Unfortunately, we did receive additional shortfall funding. So, we are totally fine to cover those that are currently on the program and we
do have some reserves, but it's we the last thing we want to do is to not be able to pay for those we already have on the program. So, these are measures that we take in order to preserve um and continue paying for that housing. So, again, we hope this is just a temporary
precaution um that we're just doing in order to be really good stewards of of those federal dollars that we receive to fund the program. And again, as I mentioned, this is a national issue, but then we see local consequences due to that. And as I said previously, our
biggest priority is maintaining the assistance for current program participants. So if we could move to slide nine. >> Okay. >> We can touch on how this shortfall is affecting Cook County at the local
level. Um, our weight list for the program is currently closed and we are not conducting polls from our weight list for the program at this time. We're not with that being said, we're not issuing
any vouchers except for verified extenduating circumstances such as the VAWA, Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. um if there's a reasonable accommodation. I mean, and even then, they have to be very, very specific,
verified circumstances that would warrant us issuing a voucher. So, we have very few, if any, households currently out searching for a unit with vouchers in hand because we're quite frankly just not able to issue any. So, this demonstrates the severity of those
funding constraints. And of course, we understand that there is an unmet housing need throughout our jurisdiction. Um so yes, it is um it's unfortunate but necessary in order for us to continue
keeping that balance for those that we currently have housed and are receiving rent subsidy through our program. So, not to I guess end on a you know kind of a unfortunate note but I am certainly
happy to open the floor for questions at this time. >> Well, Rachel, couple questions I could come up with right away. Um, does Minnesota Housing uh have any helpful uh funding to supplement the HUD
funding for for for you or for us or are there other sources that are currently being tapped for that? >> No. No, we applied for short additional shortfall funding which we did receive.
Um and then we do have some programs that are state funded programs that are still um totally fine. So we but Minnesota housing is not does not provide additional funding to assist with the shortfall status. >> So your additional funding comes from
HUD still. >> Yes. Yep. they we did apply for additional shortfall funds and fortunately we were able to um receive those and then as um we do have reserves as well um if if we had to tap into
those. So fortunately we are we are quote unquote fine but we just have to maintain that um that balance in order to um stay on the right track and continue paying who we have contracts with.
Uh second question would be are the units in Cook County for example that are open and available uh are are they Cook County residents given a priority for those or could
someone from for example Duth end up in Cook County in one of the units in our in our city? I'm just curious about it. >> Um it's all one weight list. So, um, if we were actively issuing vouchers at
this time and if a person wanted to go to Cook County and use their voucher there, they certainly could do that. Um, there is not a resident's preference on our wait list um, at this time um, for any of the jurisdictions that we serve
because we have um, the Duth area and then we also have Lake and Cook County. So, it's all just one pool of individuals when we are conducting polls. So if it was any anyone could take their voucher to Cook County if if they wanted to. It would still have to
be considered affordable of course. And one of the developments we have here in town at specific well there a couple that have section 8 but availability but uh Harbor View is a development for seniors and and uh others but u they
have I think we've struck an agreement that they're going to keep 27 or 26 units available for section 8 vouchers. But that does that mean uh could you figure to walk us through what that
really means? Uh if they've got a tenant who is moving out of a section 8 unit and that unit becomes available. uh if they have a standing a person who could fill that unit, are they able to achieve
a voucher status uh in that case or or is the unit going to sit vacant until uh someone claims a new voucher? >> Well, a person can't skip the weight list. So, if they were, let's say they
had a unit open that they were willing to utilize um a section 8 voucher, they would need to have a person with a voucher in hand that wanted to lease up there and that it was considered affordable in order for them to lease up there.
I'm just thinking this through so that we could use some marketing help uh and the developer could as well to find people that uh may be on the wait list that are from Cook County who would qualify to get into that unit.
>> Well, and right now we're not pulling from the weight list anyways. So there there's just not individuals right now with a voucher in hand that are looking period. But potentially in the future, um, we could let our future voucher
holders that are out looking, we could let them know that there is availability in Cook County if it was considered affordable for them. I think previously when there was openings at that particular building, the affordability um, it was beyond what our voucher would
be able to cover there. So we did not send voucher holders there. >> So do you have current voucher holders there? Do if you know how many or if you could find that out for us.
>> We currently at Harborview the only folks that we have are the I think it was 24 individuals that received the enhanced voucher when that contract ended. Those are the only folks that we have living at Harborview with a voucher.
>> Okay, thanks. >> Hi, Rachel. This is U. Commissioner Hansen. Walk me through your weight list procedure. How does that work? Is it is it uh let's let's pretend that you have enough funding that you're accepting
vouchers. So, put that set that aside for the moment. Um, so I'm in Cook County and I feel like I'm eligible and I've applied and I'm on the wait list. Um, and a unit becomes available here.
Do I have to wait until everyone in front of me is housed or do you >> Yes. >> Okay. >> You don't necessarily have to wait for everybody to be housed, but you can't if you are on the wait first off, you know, if our wait list is open, correct? And you're able to apply. It is over a 24
month wait at this time. That's part of the reason why we had to close our wait list also is because our for our administrative plan if the wait time for the oldest application goes beyond 24 months because it's in order of date of application um we have to close it. So,
they have to wait till their name comes to the top and then be determined eligible at that point once they've been pulled from the weight list and then they would receive a voucher. >> How does somebody get off off the weight
list then? Do they if they if they >> when we're conducting polls from the weight list? So you you call them or and >> correct when we conduct a poll we um we tell them at initial application that we will contact you when your name comes to
the top of the weight list via mail. So they have to keep their contact information up to date with us like if their address or contact information changes while they're on the wait list. So when their name comes to the top that we'll be able to reach out to notify
them that they have been scheduled for an intake appointment because their name has been pulled from the weight list. >> And then their options at that point are they can say oh I'm already living somewhere or I've moved away or you know I mean they have >> correct if they're no longer interested
we can withdraw them at that point. >> Okay. >> Or they could tell us I mean if they're still on the wait list and they're no longer interested and they just want to be removed they can let us know at any time. Yeah. Okay. Um, well, thank you. I guess that's my only
I mean I it sounds like there at this time basically for the next two years at least there's no option for anyone to obtain for a new person to obtain section 8 housing in Cook County. Is that what I'm hearing? Am I hearing that correctly?
>> Unless we unless we are able to which again we these are temporary measures. If we reopen the wait list and we resume conducting polls from the weight list, if any of those individuals are interested in housing in Cook County, we
will absolutely tell them that, you know, to look in your in Cook County for available housing. Um, we just don't know when we're going to be able to reopen the weight list and resume. We um we obviously have to
work closely with our team at at HUD and go with their direction and um each agency that is in shortfall has a shortfall plan, an action plan. So, we have to follow that and then we touch base with them monthly based on our utilization and our budget authority to
see if we're still in that funding shortfall status or if perhaps we can start to reopen that weight list, start accepting applications again and and resume polls. So, we touch base on that monthly with them. So, we just don't know when they're going to give us the
green light. But if they did, say they did, the next month, hypothetically, it would still be a 24-month wait list, right? >> Not if someone that got pulled was interested because there's people that are would be the first to be pulled because they've
already been on the wait list. >> No, somebody if they if they joined the wait list at that time when you reopened it, >> right? >> They're still two years out. >> Correct. >> Okay. Thank you. Correct. Just help helpful to understand. It's complicated. It is. It is. I I completely understand
it. There's a lot of ins and outs. So, happy to answer questions. >> Commissioner Sullivan, did you have >> Yes. Um Rachel, this is Cook County Commissioner Anne Sullivan. And um a question I had, it kind of relates back to slide three was what is needed for a
unit to pass inspection? >> I have that actually >> to pass our current inspection. Correct. >> Um I'm not an inspector, so I I can't speak directly to that, but I would be happy to share with um the board. We
have what we call it's it's a booklet called um a good place to live, and that goes over all of >> what you'd expect >> the things that are included in a housing quality standard inspection >> in order to pass. So, I I could
certainly share that with Jeff and then he could share with with the board if if that would be um if that'd be helpful. I could certainly share that. I personally am just not an inspector, so I don't uh have a ton of information on that piece of it. >> Right. Well, thank you. And I guess I
asked that question because there are places in Cook County, for example, that don't have running water. There are places um where there may be wood heat and I'm assuming none of those would qualify. >> No. No. That is kind of the bare
minimum. Um utilities have to have to be working. So to that I can confidently say that would not pass an inspection. >> Okay. Well, I just felt that was an important question to bring forward for people that might be watching us today or listening to us today because um
those are oftenimes places that are viewed as affordable but would not qualify for this program. >> Absolutely. Thank you. >> Any other questions from the commissioners? If not, I just close with a statement of
thanks to Rachel for doing the presentation. It absolutely demonstrates why we elected to use the Duth H to do these processes instead of taking this on ourselves up here in Cook County for units that are in the county. And uh we
appreciate your help a lot, Rachel, and you did a great job explain explaining the >> situation. I'm happy to happy and honored to um to join your meeting. Um it's it's such a beautiful place up there. I do hope that um down the road
when we're able to reopen that weight list that we have more individuals that seek housing in in that area. Um I know we've had a great experience working with um with Gary at the and their tenants at Harborview. Um, so very
grateful for our partnership and as if there's any questions um I know that there's a lot of ins and outs and um different roles with the program and funding and it's a lot to to bite off and chew. So we're always happy to answer questions. So um please don't
hesitate to reach out. >> All right, thanks very much. We appreciate it. >> Thank you Rachel. Appreciate it. >> Thank you all. Have a great weekend. >> You too. You too. >> You as well. >> Bye-bye. We'll move on to new business uh after the presentation here. Next on on the
list is resolution 2608 uh approving the executive director to enter into a contract with Maggie Maggie Bernard for the purposes of transcript services. Uh Jeff, do you want to introduce Maggie?
>> Yes. Um um so Maggie is here uh taking notes. Hopefully that means we'll be passing this contract today, but of course in a democracy we don't quite know what the outcome's going to be. >> A little bit of court. Um but um you know um I I will say this
um you know we have had some conversations with uh Chair Gabler and Vice Chair um um O'Brien about the duties and responsibilities. There's no doubt that the the Cook County H we continue to grow and the
responsibilities continue to grow. At the same time, it's a matter of time management and what's possible and what kind of gets left to the side. Um you noticed a couple of spelling errors in the last one. I didn't intentionally do that. Um but Chair Gabler did notice this and
appreciate that. But, you know, it's just a matter of what we can do and what we can accomplish with with uh with eyes towards the future here in 2026. We're looking at um onboarding a developer for um the Birch Grove area. We're looking at continuing to work with other
developers that are interested in building housing here in Cook County and that sort of thing. And so, um, one of the things that I did was I asked the EDA, uh, President, uh, Clissold for, um, any recommendations that he might
have for people that are doing, uh, the note takingaking for meetings. And he gave a very shining, um, recommendation for Maggie Barard. So, um I am asking for a resolution today to pass that will allow us to contract with Maggie
long-term for the purposes of the transcript services that we need for these meeting minutes so that way we can get good quality meeting minutes out continue with our transparency and and um that sort of thing with the public. And um that's the that's the request
today. I would just add that I talked to Chair Clissold of the EDA as well and he was enthusiastic about Maggie Bernard as Jason Hail was about Rachel DS in terms of their
competence and their ability to perform. So, uh, was there a motion to >> Mr. Chair? I have one question first, but first I add my recommendation to the others for Maggie. I've worked with her in the past and and uh no question about
her uh stellar performance in anything she does. But um just to get a handle on the I saw the hourly rate, but maybe it's a question for you Maggie. How long does it take you? Just so we have an idea of the total cost. >> Um
typically just depends on length of meeting and >> obviously >> if it's complicated or very simple. Mhm. >> Um for the EDA it's been approximately 3 hours a month. >> Okay. >> For meeting. >> Thank you.
>> That's consistent with what I've understood as well. >> And uh so I guess that's an incentive for us to keep our meeting shorter. But be beyond that uh so is there a motion
uh regarding 26? Move acceptance of uh resolution 2608 >> and I will second. >> It's been moved and seconded. Any further discussion on the motion? >> So we'll do a roll call vote. >> Hearing none. We'll have a roll call vote.
>> Gabler >> I. >> Hansen >> I. >> Lamore >> I. >> Olsen >> I. >> Resolution passes. Uh we'll move on to uh resolution 2609
uh authorizing the executive director to enter into a contract with Northshore Development Company. Jeff, you want to walk us through that? >> Yeah. in um in discussions again with the personnel committee with uh chair
Gabler and vice chair um O'Brien, we had a discussion about some opportunities to maybe free up a little bit of time in my on my plate to focus more on again building more developments and that sort of thing. Going back to that previous discussion we just had about growing teens, I think at some point we'll
probably, you know, if we continue to be as successful as we are and we continue to manage grants and we are receiving grants from the triple R and other places in the state of Minnesota and that sort of thing, federal level maybe too. Um, you know, and so right now we
have a $10,000 contract in um place here with the uh Northshore Development Company. uh Jason Hail, our previous director here at the HA. Um and uh the consulting services would be basically to help manage new and existing grant um
uh programs that we have in place um to draft any new agreements that we might need. And then also um I think one thing that's really important for me is to continue with um the assistance on providing consultation and development of new projects and that sort of thing.
Uh we had something similar in place last year. I thought it to be very helpful as I transitioned into this position. Um Jason has been a wealth of information and so um I would ask that we pass this as well. >> I just have a couple of corrections
and I guess let's move the uh uh resolution first if there's a desire. Would someone uh move resolution 2609? >> I'll so move. >> I will second. It's been moved and seconded. Uh I'd like to make two a
couple of amendments. First of all, the contract, as I read it, is not limited to $10,000. That's right. It's a,000 a month uh plus additional consulting. And so that's really open-ended in in that sense. But uh so that's one aspect that
I just want to clarify. Second is that uh Jeff is correct in terms of what we're looking to do here, but I'd like to add a second whereas clause after the first one and that it would read whereas the commissioners of the Cook County HR
are seeking an outside resource to oversee and routinize certain procedures as a mitigation of compliance risks as cited in the annual audits of the HR and and then continue on with the next one and And under statement of purpose, the
purpose of this resolution is to assist the HA to mitigate compliance risks and to adjust and and then continue on in that paragraph. Uh when uh Commissioner O'Brien and I talked about this originally, our our actual purpose was
to try to uh bring in some uh routinization into our processes and uh some people who to manage that as a compliance. It it does help to get work off of of Jeff. But the compliance
aspect of it is perhaps even more important in in why we started to undertake this. So that's why I would move the uh the amendment to resolution 2609 that I just read. I have that in a word
doc as well I can share. >> Thank you. >> I'll second your motion. >> Moved and seconded to amend the resolution. Uh, all those in favor with the roll call vote on the amendment. >> I, >> Gabler, >> I, >> Hansen, >> I,
>> Lammore, >> I, >> Olsson, >> I. >> Any further discussion on the resolution itself? >> I'll just say thank you for your attention to detail on that matter. I think that's a good point to bring up. >> Y, >> you're welcome. Yeah.
Uh, is there a motion to approve the resolution or it was >> we already had that second? So, we let's have a real roll call roll call voted. Thank you. >> All right. So, Gabler >> I >> Hansen >> I >> Lamar >> I
>> Olsen >> I >> All right. Motion is adopted. Resolution is approved. Uh under resolution 2610. I think at this point we need to table that resolution to the next meeting. The
contract hasn't we've we've drafted our attorney's drafted a contract, but it hasn't been reviewed by the township's attorney yet in full. So, uh I think uh we'll bring that back to the next meeting. >> Yeah, we were hoping that the contract
would have been reviewed already and that sort of thing, but um it blizzards blizzards and all that fun stuff. And so, uh, what they'll do is they'll have their legal folks take a look at it and then they'll, uh, they'll bring it back at their next township meeting here in March. And then we'll, of course, that's
before we have our meeting. And so, I anticipate any additional changes that will be made, we'll make it make it work. But, um, Chair Gable and I both attended a township meeting in November, and this is something that they had interest expressed interest in doing in order to keep the management of the
billboard up and running and that sort of thing. So, we're just we're just working out that to make sure that it works for everybody. >> And I did have to comment that the lease documentation is very clear standard commercial lease uh for 50 years at at
$1 for the entire term of the lease. Uh I'm pretty sure >> too high you think. >> I think it's that those things will be acceptable to the townships. some of the language in there. There might be some
need to to talk, but uh we expect that we'll have that all resolved by next meeting. >> I would I would just like to disclose that my daughter and son-in-law have leased that billboard in the past. So, you know that I had no connection to them that transaction. I have no
knowledge on their intention to lease it again in the future, but I just thought I should disclose that connection. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Hansen. Uh resolution 2611 authorizing executive director entered into a contract with
Whipley for the purposes of conducting an assisted living market demand analysis. Jeffrey, would you take that down, please? >> Yes. Uh um so we've had some previous discussions about this in terms of asking for the assistance from financial
assistance from the EDA to help us pay for the study. Um, now it's a matter of everything is in line for us to sign on the dotted line with Whipley. You'll see the contract is is the letter of engagement is included in your packet in exhibit A. And um I've had our attorney
take a look at it, that sort of thing. And there are no flags and that sort of thing. So um this is the process for which we would actually get this study to be undertaken. Um the price seems to have gone up a bit, but they still will honor our 2025 um um quote that they
gave us. And so uh $14,500 for the purposes of the market demand analysis for assisted living in Cook County. Um and so I would ask the for approval of that so we can undergo this. It will take between eight and 12 weeks
and so looking at maybe first part of summer for us to get the information back. Um and then from there I think we'll continue to have community conversations with leaders in the community and the general public as well. I think it's really important as
part of overall what we're trying to do here >> and we appreciate the EDA's contribution to that uh for half the fees. So that's appreciated. >> Uh is there a motion with regard to resolution 2611?
>> I'll move. >> Moved. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Been moved and seconded. Is there any further discussion? The only thing I'd say is that the their agreement was even more complex than the one we're
proposing with Birch Grove. with with the township. But uh any no hearing? No further discussion. Uh we'll have a roll call vote. >> Gabler >> I. >> Hansen >> I. >> Lam more >> I. >> Olsen
>> I. >> Can I make a suggestion? >> Yes. >> Certainly. >> Mr. Jeff, if you could um supply them with uh the presentation that uh we received last meeting and the updated information
from the demographer, >> uh I think that would be very helpful to them and more granular. My concern is that this will be a you know, well, you've heard my concerns in the past that this will be a generic report and then anything else you can think of or any of us can think of that might be more specific to Cook County that we can
supply them to make this more granular and more useful. Mhm. >> Uh because I'm afraid if in the past when these studies have been undertaken they come back in a very generic form >> and it doesn't present a very good picture but it really doesn't take into account a lot of things that are special
to Cook County. So for instance, >> your question about places without water, you know, in Cook County, that's pretty acceptable, normal way of life. >> And you could hear the reaction from the woman from the Duth Terry like, "What? No water? No way." >> I mean, that's their rules, but
>> Right. Right. >> Sorry. It's different here. Yeah, it's different here. >> Very different. I think the uh the the thing that you hear, uh, oh, a place without running water. Oh, that means that we need to get the utilities reconnected. No, no, no. There is no running water. There is no well. people are okay with that.
>> Exactly. Um just anecdotally, for all anecdotal evidence is worth, um I have a a friend in town who spent her first uh two years in Cook County uh living in a cabin with no running water, um a composting toilet. And yeah, this is not
at all an atypical story. I think most people uh either have done this themselves or know of somebody who has had a very unconventional living arrangement in their process of >> setting up a just an example to take >> to think let's rack our brains and think
about what we can help them to uncover. >> Yeah. >> Beyond just their standard way of doing it because it won't it won't fit Cook County very well if it >> to your point in my opinion. I I understand and agree uh with what you're
saying. Um there's a I'll maybe call it a statistical blind spot if you're only looking at published statistics where you'd be missing a whole group of the housed population in this county. Um that is just very atypical when you zoom
out to the national level. >> Yes, we have yurts. Other counties don't have yurts for instance. Yes, I get that. I'll make sure we we'll be meeting after this and um I will make sure that Whipley is aware of what's going on with the deed
information as well. We'll make sure that they get a copy of that. >> Any further comments? If not, we'll move to uh other business. Director's report. >> Did we Did we pass that resolution? Okay, good. Thank you.
>> Director's report. Okay. I have a couple of things that I wanted to add. First of all, I wanted to let the public know and let you know as well. We have a brand new website. Still the same address, cookhra.org. Um, but it looks much different and, uh,
the look and feel of it, I think, is more in line with our values and our vision for Cook County. Um, what I will say is that it is more user friendly on my end in order to add information to the website to make it more um, relevant uh, to what's going on in the world
around us. And so I'll be um adding different information uh to our website as we continue to go. Second thing I wanted to let you know is that we are moving forward on the Cedar Grove business lots that were reserved for us from the EDA. Um um
the EDA president and I met and we notoriized some signatures, got it over to the title team. They have all the information now and so they'll be processing a closing here in the future. So, we'll have ownership of those two lots that we can use for housing in the future. And then also the Hamilton
Habitat um parcel that we had previously um conveyed from the county to us, we'll be conveying to Hamilton Habitat as well. I spoke with Anna yesterday and so we'll be moving forward with that.
>> She also wants to >> Sorry, which which property is that? >> That's the one that's just north of the high school by Nature Boy Creek. There we had that. Remember that discussion? >> Yep. Got it. >> Yep. >> Um and so we'll be uh she has indicated some interest in having us do some more
work with um them for the purposes of ITR grants. So we'll be engaged with that in the future here. Um second home funding for workforce housing. The only update I have for you right now is that I spoke with our
senator at the state level, Senator Hoschild, and he has allowed me to have access to the researchers at the Senate uh for the purposes of looking at different ways that we could move forward with this legally and um with in
compliance of our state statutes and our constitution in Minnesota. So more more of that will be happening here soon, but um that information is finally going to be something we can start utilizing. Saha funds, Gunflint View has made their
first request for $40,000 for SAHA funds um for the gunflint view. Those are the subsidy funds that we have agreed to and and we um we will be uh expending as part of our contract with them for the purposes of of making sure that we
continue to have subsidized rents available at that facility. And um I guess maybe the last thing I just wanted to add real quick and this is more of um I guess the sign of the
times with what was going on with um immigration and ICE enforcement lately is that I was in the legislature when we were going through the CO and one thing that I noticed when we were in our COVID
situation at the state level was that a lot of the commission commissioners felt like they had support at the federal level. Uh for instance, Jennifer Hoe, who's the count the commissioner for housing, Minnesota housing, um she had support from the federal government in
having resources available for people who are dealing with housing problems, but also in the worldwide pandemic. Um what I was really surprised by a couple of weeks ago when I listened when
I was participant in a in a meeting with um the Minnesota Housing Partnership and uh Commissioner Ho was also invited to speak was that between then 2020 and now 2026
uh she has indicated that she feels like there's less of a relationship. there's less support at the federal level when it comes to housing because of what's going on at the federal level. And so that's something I just wanted to point out as a sign of the times and it's
something that as we continue to go forward. The legislature just started on Tuesday. Um they'll be looking at different ways that they can help out, pick up some slack where the federal government now is retreating and taking
back resources by clawback. And so um it's an interesting time in housing. >> That's the Chinese blessing and curse. Yeah. >> May you live in interesting times. This
case it's a curse unfortunately. And I I don't think that's news and I don't think it's going to change anytime soon. So, I appreciate the fact the state of Minnesota is doing what they can and and considering what they can to to help. And I know our county board feels the
same way and uh we appreciate their support for our efforts here. Quisher soul, >> I just wanted to um share that the county board will be going the first week of March down to the legislature
and housing is one of the things that we will be talking with Senator Hoschild and Representative Scraba and others that we meet with in committees. >> Wonderful. Thanks for that. Uh any other further questions? I uh the
one thing on the Saha funds that for for gun fund view it's it's going to be the same with the heights once they get up and operating is our commitment is to provide them money to the extent we have the SAHA funds >> and so far we have should be able to
fill this request and uh that's a key to keeping those rents more affordable for people who really need it. go. Um, and the good thing about those Saha funds, they started in 2023. So, all of 23, 24,
and 25, we didn't expend those dollars. So, we do have, um, a good balance. And so, for now at least, um, you know, as the state continues to look at supporting us and every other county across the state of Minnesota, um, we do have those funds available.
>> All right. And that actually leads to another subject is financials here. Uh financials are in front of us and uh the finance committee had no significant questions on it. Uh money comes in and
we've got a re decent B bank balance at this stage. But uh we do have some considerations coming up including the resolution that we uh or they're working with. Um but uh with
one roof housing for >> they're their 250,000 at some point. Uh but it also kind of gets me back to the point of thinking about the housing trust fund. Uh in addition to SAHA funds
which are significant and important as a source, we also have the contributions that are being made by uh Cascade Vacation Rentals and which are I can't remember the total amount of those at this stage, but I believe it's close to
a couple hundred,000 and uh that would be the initial funding from our standpoint for the housing trust fund. Jeff, where are we on that? Yeah, we are still waiting for the uh the advice of our county attorney. Um I I understand
that that the office is busy and a little bit understaffed right now, but um we are still waiting for their their um approval of our draft resolution to uh effectually start this. the state legislature in 2025 allowed for housing
and redevelopment authorities to create their own um whether than rather than asking for the county commissioners to get involved, they they allowed the entities themselves to do this. And so we would perhaps be the first one out of the gate in Minnesota to do this. And so
that that uh requires I think a little extra support from our county um attorney's office. Thanks for the thoughts on that because we'd really would like to move forward. >> Uh it would be even though we're not legally obliged apparently, it would
probably be a good idea to get a letter or a resolution of support from the county board just to make sure they're with us on this. >> Sure, that's assume they are. But >> good suggestion, Commissioner. >> Thanks for that uh thought.
Any other questions on the financial statements at this stage? Uh committee reports. Uh I guess I'll report for the personnel committee uh Commissioner O'Brien and myself that uh you have now
received the form to do an evaluation of our executive director who has been with us well over a year by at least three days. And it's been uh great to have Jeff on board and uh we want to but as
part of that we want to enhance his ability to continue to perform at even better levels and that's the reason for an evaluation uh but and and executive director uh Bran will be completing his own thoughts
on a separate evaluation form and we'll share that uh with the board. But uh this is all a process to eventually have a meeting with uh the executive director and discuss that plus uh I'm sure there'll be salary and other
considerations to be talked about as well. So if you'd please fill those out as best you can and and get them back to me within the next week or so. Uh we'd like to keep moving forward with that. So that's the personnel committee report.
Uh I don't think there are any other committees that we need to hear from at this point. And uh if not any commissioner items, we'll move to that. Uh any items the commissioners have that they'd like to bring before the board.
Well, that's about as much as the public comments we heard earlier in the meeting. So we'll move to the last item is a potential move motion to adjurnn. Is there such a motion? >> I'll move. >> I'll second. >> It's been moved and seconded. Is there
is any discussion on that motion? If not, will can we have the roll call? >> We'll have a roll call vote on our injuredment. Uh Gabler >> I. >> Hansen. >> I. >> Lamar >> I. >> And Olsen >> I. And bye.
>> Take care. You know, I'd also thank uh Jeff for arranging at the last meetings the presentations by the on the VBO matters of Cook County, the deed stuff and now the HUD presentations. I think they've been really helpful uh to me and
as background and some of the issues that we're we face here. So, uh thanks for doing those, Jeff. If you have any other >> It would be interesting to have u maybe in the future somebody I don't know who it would be that is knowledgeable on cooperative housing projects.
>> Yeah. >> Seeing as how we have one and and they I know in Scandinavia they're using them extensively. It'd be interesting just to get a presentation on that. If you can find a professor or somebody that >> I do know somebody actually. Um >> yes that something we can definitely uh
line up for. Yeah. I can just tell you I financed several cooperatives for seniors in the Twin Cities and it's been really a successful housing form uh there and I know it is here as well >> and it's something I assume that the
Whiply people might be looking at as well some for some impact on what might come out. >> Any other comments? If not, we're adjourned. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you.
So, I I uh read about